UK politics ‘failing on Brexit due to passive and fearful opposition’

UK politics is failing because of “passive and fearful” opposition to leaving the European Union (EU), according to a new report.

Kirsty Hughes, director of the Scottish Centre on European Relations (SCER), said the UK was heading for a “damaging” hard Brexit because Remain voters had been left with little strong representation.

UK politics is failing because of “passive and fearful” opposition. Picture: PA Wire

The think tank has published a new report bringing together analysis of the forthcoming challenges as the process of exiting the EU unfolds.

Writing in the report, Ms Hughes said: “As the process unfolds, the UK – and particularly England – has remained deeply divided over the question of proceeding with Brexit.

“Support for ‘remain’ has moved a little ahead in the polls over the last several months but not strongly enough for many passive and fearful politicians to come out and argue to halt Brexit or to hold a further EU referendum.”

She highlighted that while the Liberal Democrats and English and Welsh Greens support a referendum on the final deal, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has not gone so far, despite declaring it could become irresistible.

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